Virus outbreak at Sammamish school waning

The outbreak of a norovirus-like illness at Elizabeth Blackwell Elementary School appeared to be decreasing Wednesday as more students returned to school.

On Wednesday, about 103 students stayed home sick from the 560-student Sammamish school. That number was down from Tuesday, when 120 students stayed home and 15 more were sent home with symptoms, which include vomiting, diarrhea, chills and fever.

"It does appear it is waning," district spokeswoman Kathryn Reith said. "There are lots of kids on the playground with lots of energy."

Lake Washington School District has also gotten reports from parents who say they have kept their children at home as a precaution to keep the students from getting sick, Reith said. Only one teacher was out sick with the virus Wednesday, down from nine staff members Monday.

The virus, which is sometimes called a Norwalk-like virus, can be passed to others through contaminated food or beverages, after touching contaminated surfaces or objects, or through direct contact with another person who is infected and showing symptoms, according to the National Center for Infectious Diseases.

At Blackwell, additional custodians are helping to clean and disinfect any shared surfaces, Reith said. Teachers and staff also sprayed bottles of bleach solution on desks and computer equipment.

During Wednesday's lunch, Reith said the school nurse helped serve students at the salad bar to help ensure the food stayed germ-free.

Rachel Tuinstra: 206-515-5637 or rtuinstra@seattletimes.com